94
points
Mills Reef 2000 Elspeth One Red (Hawke's Bay)
-
$35
This is a rich, sumptuous red wine. It looks, smells and tastes opulent. Ripe, forward berry flavors, wrapped in considerable oak, taste full and long, and the wine flatters with thick, velvety but fine tannins. The finish is a wonder, long and intricate. The aftertaste lasts for a full minute. It’s wonderful now, but should age effortlessly for many years. A blend…
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)
93
points
Mills Reef 2000 Mere Road Elspeth Merlot (Hawke's Bay)
-
$30
Here you have a massively constituted wine joined to well-charred oak that results in an enormously rich, satisfying and, more importantly, balanced sip. The fruit and berry flavors are hugely extracted, the tannins gentle but complex, the acidity near perfect. It all adds up to a young bruiser. If you must drink it now, have with rich foods like well-marbled beef…
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)
92
points
Mills Reef 2000 Mere Road Elspeth Syrah (Hawke's Bay)
-
$30
Strong and distinguished, this is a wine with the concentration of a winner. The dark purple and black color suggests the enormous extract, which is confirmed by the first sniff. The nose is packed with powerful black currant aromas, enhanced by fine smoky oak. In the mouth, it’s full-bodied, dense and immature. A chewy core of fruit and thick but fine tannins…
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)